Better Health Channel
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
  • Always call triple zero (000) in an emergency. This fact sheet is not a substitute for proper CPR training by an accredited organisation.
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialised treatment is available.
  • Chest compressions are the priority in CPR. If you can't to do rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) chest compressions alone may still be life-saving. Try to minimise interruptions to chest compressions until help arrives.
  • CPR is a life-saving skill that everyone should learn. Courses are available.
  • CPR works on the principle of 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths of rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) – known as 30:2).
  • Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be used by anyone in an emergency and are easy to use. Voice prompts guide you through what to do.
  • The steps involved in CPR are known as DRSABCD (or ‘doctors ABCD’).

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Reviewed on: 20-10-2021